Team News: Connacht coach Eric Elwood has finalised his starting line-up for Thursday's Magners League encounter with the Cardiff Blues.

The selected team sees Adrian Flavin replacing Sean Cronin, as the Ireland hooker is rested as part of the IRFU's player management programme. Academy graduate Dermot Murphy has been added to the replacements bench.

Galway man Andrew Browne replaces Bernie Upton in the second row, and experienced flanker Johnny O'Connor returns from a back injury to replace Shane Conneely on the bench.

Gavin Duffy, who has been nursing a back injury, is fit to start at full-back, while centre Keith Matthews (dead leg) and winger Troy Nathan (back) have overcome their respective knocks.

Connacht have to cope with a five-day turnaround this week, following on from a bruising draw with Ulster. They have also been forced to stay in Swansea, as there is no accomodation available in Cardiff due to the Ryder Cup.

Coach Eric Elwood said that the province did not pursue a possible switch of home and away matches with Cardiff, as such a scenario would leave them finishing the season with three successive road trips.

Meanwhile, former All Black centre Casey Laulala returns to the Cardiff Blues side for Thursday's league tie. He has recovered from the knock to the head he sustained against the Newport Gwent Dragons and takes his place in the centre alongside Dafydd Hewitt.

Experienced scrum half Gareth Cooper will make his first start of the season, with Richie Rees' calf strain and Lloyd Williams' dead leg ruling them out. Young Pontypridd scrum half Kristian Baller covers on the bench.

In the forwards, Xavier Rush has recovered from a knee injury to captain the side from number 8, while Rhys Williams gets a start at hooker.

John Yapp starts at loosehead prop and will play in this position for the next three weeks with some big Heineken Cup matches approaching. However, the Wales international remains committed to converting to the tighthead side of the scrum.

On the replacements bench, Gethin Jenkins will provide back-up for the Blues' front row, but back row duo Martyn Williams (shoulder) and Ma'ama Molitika (groin) are two notable absentees.

Pre-Match Quotes: Eric Elwood (Connacht) - "We play Cardiff in our final home match in April before heading to Ulster and Munster, so a reversal could have seen us finish with three away games. That's not an option.

"It's far from ideal but we will just deal with it this week. We had a players' meeting and it was pointed out that we took on Munster last year and then played and beat Leinster three days later.

"These things can be used to your advantage. It's a big ask, but we want to get something out of every game we play and that's our objective again on Thursday."

David Young (Cardiff Blues) - "Connacht are always a difficult team to play against and they've played some great stuff this season. They're probably only 30 seconds away form being unbeaten coming into this game, so I'm a little bit worried about this match.

"We've got to manage and match their desire and commitment and their work rate, and if we can do that I like to think we've got a bit of extra quality in our squad and we can come away with a win.

"But first and foremost we've got to match everything that they can bring to the game."

- The Cardiff Blues gained an eleventh win in their last dozen matches in all competitions when they beat Benetton Treviso last Saturday

- The Blues have won their last four home games in the Magners League, since Leinster won 29-20 at Cardiff City Stadium on March 7
- Connacht have suffered just one defeat so far this season, a 35-33 loss to the Scarlets in round 3 of the Magners League

- The westerners won their most recent away game 19-17 in Glasgow on September 17, but have not won successive away games in the Magners League since the 2004/05 season

- Connacht's only win in their last 22 visits to Wales was a 13-11 triumph at the Newport Gwent Dragons in April 2008

- Connacht have beaten the Cardiff Blues just twice before - in 2005 and 2009 in Galway. The Blues' home record against Connacht is played 7, won 7

Looking forward to facing England on Sunday, Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said: "We've trained very well this week, we're really excited about the game. It's about going out there and doing whatever we can to get ourselves that win."

Second row Devin Toner previews Ireland's crunch RBS 6 Nations clash with England, saying: "It's a pretty formidable English pack. Attwood and Kruis have played fantastically well. They're well drilled and focused and their scrum and lineout are very good."

Looking forward to facing England this weekend, Ireland back rower Sean O'Brien said: "It's obviously exciting, but it's one game at a time. I don't think there's any more pressure on us than in the first two games. That's the way you have to look at it."

Irish Rugby TV sat down with Ireland Under-20 scrum coach John Fogarty to talk about the U-20 Six Nations so far and Friday's clash with England at Donnybrook. Tickets are on sale on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Shane Byrne and Malcolm O'Kelly preview the Ireland v England Legends match which takes place at Donnybrook this coming Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. All proceeds from the game will go to support the IRFU Charitable Trust and the RFU All Schools Charity.

Watch highlights from the Ireland team announcement press conference as Joe Schmidt reveals the team to play France. Peter O'Mahony says it is good to 'have some big figures back' for Saturday's clash.